Connector



Aug. 25, 1964 R. T. GALLAGHER 3,145,443

CONNECTOR Filed July 25, 1963 I 2 Sheets-Sheefi 1 INVENTOR ROBERT T GALLAGHER BYWt-M ATTORNEY Aug. 25, 1964 R. 'r. GALLAGHER 3,145,443

CONNECTOR Filed July 25, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ROBERT T, GALLAGHER aw/ w ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,145,443 QGNNECTOR Robert T. Gallagher, Philadelphia, Pa, assignor to Carey- McFall Qompany, Philadelphia, Pin, a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed duly 25, 1%3, Ser. No. 297,575 1 Qlaini. (Cl. 24-439) This invention relates generally to connecting devices, and is especially concerned with unique improvements in connectors for keys, cards and the like.

It is an important object or" the present invention to provide a connector of the type described which is extremely simple to operate, permitting of quick and easy connection to and removal from the connector of keys, key chains, cards, etc., while effectively insuring that accidental or inadvertent detachment of such devices is positively prevented.

A more particular object of the present invention resides in the provision of a unique connector construction wherein keys, cards, and the like may be detachably but positively connected together in a manner occupying a minimum of space, say for convenient retention in a users pocket.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a connecting device having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph which is extremely simple in construction, durable and entirely reliable throughout a long useful life, and which can be economically manufactured for sale at a reasonable price.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations or" elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claim.

In the drawings, FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing a connector of the present invention in operative association with a card and key chain, and partially broke away to illustrate the interior construction of the connector;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the device of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 4 is a perspective View, partly broken awa showing a slightly modified embodiment of the instant connector.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURES l and 2 thereof, a connector of the present invention is there generally designated 10, and includes a casing 11 of elongate open-ended tubular construction, being of flattened or generally rectangular crosssectional configuration. Arranged longitudinally within the casing 11 is a slide member, generally designated 12, which is slidable longitudinally in the casing 11, in a manner appearing presently.

The casing 11 may advantageously be fabricated of a pair of elongate channels or channellike sections 15 and 16, which are fixedly secured together in facing relation, one within the other. In assembly, the channel 15 is disposed Within the channel 16, and the latter deformed to positively retain the channels in their open-ended tubular configuration.

As best seen in FIGURE 3, the inner channel 15 includes a web wall 17, and a pair of side Walls 18 extending along respective side edges of the web 17, substantially normal thereto and disposed in facing, parallel 3,145,443 Patented Aug. 25, 1se4 spaced relation with respect to each other. A bead 19 may be provided at each end of the channel 16, extending continuously along the end edges of the channel walls 17 and 18. A tab or lug 20 may be struck from each side wall 18, at a location spaced from opposite ends of the channel 15, such that the lugs extend inward toward and terminate short of each other.

The outer section or channel 16 includes a web wall 22, and a pair of side walls 23 extending along respective side edges of the web wall in parallel spaced, facing relation for reception therebetween of the channel 15. The channel 16 may be formed along each of its end edges with an outwardly pressed bead or groove, as at 24, for conformably receiving the external beads 19 of the inner section 15. In assembly, the channel section 15 is disposed in facing relation, longitudinally of and within the channel section 16, and the free longitudinal edges of the Walls 23 may be bent or swaged inward topermanently secure the channel sections of the casing together in their tubular, open-ended relation.

The slide 12 may best be seen in FIGURE 3, and may be formed of flat sheet or bar stock having an elongate body part 26 slidably received in the casing 11. That is, the body part 26 of the slide member 12 is disposed longitudinally of and slidably within the tubular casing 11; and, the body part may be formed with a central through opening 27, and a pair of longitudinally extending edge cutouts 28 opening laterally outwardly through opposite side edges of the body part. The longitudinally extending side cutouts 28 are each bounded at their opposite ends by faces or edges 29 and 3G defining longitudinally inwardly facing shoulders. The shoulders 29 and 30 of each cutout 28 are spaced longitudinally of the slide member 12; and in facing relation with each other.

Extending from one end of the body part 26, the slide member 12 is provided with an extension 32, which may be provided with a through hole or eye 33, as for receiving a key chain, or the like. The extension 32 may be coplanar with the body part 26.

Projecting outward from the other end of the body part 26, oppositely away from the extension 32 may be an additional extension 34, also substantially coplanar with the body part. The extension 34 may be configured to define a loop or hook having a side opening or slot 35. Thus, the loop or hook configuration of extension 34 has its distal region curved, as at 36 to define the bight of the hook, which region extends to a terminus 37 at the side opening 35.

In assembly, the body part 26 is disposed slidably within the casing 11, such that the internal casing lugs or tabs 2!} extend into respective cutouts 28 of the slide member 12. In addition, suitable resilient means, such as a pair of coil compression springs are located within the casing 11, each within a respective cutout 23, extending longitudinally therealong. Such springs are designated 40 and shown in FIGURE 3. More particularly, each spring 40 is located in a respective cutout 28 between one cutout end or shoulder 36 and the adjacent lug 20. That is, the coil compression springs 4% are each disposed longitudinally within a respective cutout 28, having its opposite ends in bearing engagement with the adjacent shoulder 30 and lug 2%, to thereby urge the slide member in one direction, upward and to the right as viewed in FIGURE 1. Limiting this spring-biased movement of the slide member 12 relative to the casing 11 is engagement of the lugs 20 each with its adjacent shoulder or face 29. The connector 10 is shown in FIGURE 1 in this limiting position with the slide member 12 having its shoulders 29 abutting the lugs 29. In this condition, the free end or terminus 37 of the hook 34 is inserted or retracted into the adjacent end of the casing 11, so as to conceal the side opening 35 of the hook. Thus, the hook 34 is effectively closed, the casing 11 serving to close the side opening 35. Of course, the hook 34 may be quickly and conveniently opened by merely pressing the slide-member extension 32 inward, retracting the latter partially into the casing 11, which serves to extend the opposite extension or hook 34 and expose the side opening 35. This permits interengagement with and removal from the hook 3 3 of an article to be connected, such as the card 41 having an aperture 42 receiving the hook 34, see FIGURE 1. Of course, the hole or eye 33 on the extension 32 may be employed to retain a key 43, as by a bead chain 44, or retain other desired device.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 4 is shown a connector generally designated ltla, which includes a casing 11a and a slide member 12a. The casing 11a may be identical to the casing 11 of the first-described embodiment.

The slide member 12a is similar to the slide member 12,

including a body part 26a slidably received longitudinally within the casing 11a and formed with a pair of oppositely outwardly facing, longitudinally extending recesses 28a opening through opposite side edges of the body part and respectively receiving internal casing lugs 20a. A pair of coil compression springs 49a may be arranged longitudinally within respective cutouts 28a, each interposed between one end of the receiving cutout and the adjacent lug 20a to urge the slide member resiliently in one direction, upward and to the right as seen in the drawing. Projecting from one end of the body part 26a through an open end of the casing 11a, there is provided on the side member 12a an extension 32a having a through opening 33a, as for connection to a key 43a, or other desired element.

Projecting from the opposite end of the body part 26:: of the slide member 12a is an opposite extension 34a which passes through and out of the other open end of casing 110. The extension 34a is advantageously formed as a hook, including a leg 46 extending longitudinally outward from the body part 26a adjacent to one side edge thereof, a bight portion or bend 47 extending from the outer end of leg 46 laterally and arcuately, and an additional leg 48 extending longitudinally inward in laterally spaced relation with respect to the leg 46. It will be observed that the legs 46 and 48 are each bent to define transverse or ottsetting portions 49 and 50, extending in parallelism with each other beyond one side of the casing 11a, to thereby offset the bight portion 47 beyond the casing. Further, the legs 46 and 48 are each formed with longitudinally inwardly facing shoulders, as at 51 and 52 for abutting engagement with the adjacent end of the casing 11a. The leg 48 terminates at a free end 53 spaced from the adjacent portion of the body part Zda, which space defines a lateral opening or side slot 35a corresponding to the opening 35 of the first-described embodiment.

In the normal condition of connector ltla, as shown in solid lines in FIGURE 4, the springs 40a resiliently maintain the slide member 12a in a limiting position of its sliding movement, with the shoulders 51 and 52 in abutting engagement with the adjacent end of casing 110. In this condition, the side opening or slot 35a of hook 34a is received in the casing 11a and thereby closed. However, upon movement of the slide member 12a against the action of springs 40a, the extension 32:! is retracted toward the casing 11a, and the extension or hook 34a is extended away from the casing to expose the side opening 35:: exteriorly of the casing. In this condition, a card or other object may be interengaged with the hook 34a, and the slide member 12a released to permit resumption of the illustrated full-line position.

By reason of the unique offsetting arrangement of leg portions 49 and 50, which serve to offset the bight region 47 beyond one side of the casing 11a, it will be understood that the card 41a receiving the hook 34a may be swung into position underlying the casing 11a, and thereby with the casing and connector 10a occupy a minimum of space. This permits of more convenient retention in a user's pants pocket, as well as easier insertion and with drawal with respect to the pocket.

From the foregoing, it is seen that a connector for keys, cards, and the like, is provided by the instant invention which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is Well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by Way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A connector comprising a generally flat tubular casing having its opposite ends open, a generally flat slide member slidable longitudinally in said casing, said slide memher being provided with a pair of longitudinally extending cutouts opening through opposite side edges, a pair of internal lugs projecting from said casing into respective cutouts of said slide member and each engageable with one end of a respective cutout to limit slide movement of said slide member in one direction relative to said casing, a coil compression spring disposed in each of said cutouts and each having its opposite ends engaging the adjacent lug and the other end of the respective cutout to urge said slide member in said one direction, and a pair of extensions on opposite ends of said slide member projecting outward from respective ends of said casing and each extendible and retractable upon back-and-forth sliding movement of said slide member, one of said extensions comprising a hook having a side opening located interiorly and exteriorly of said casing upon respective retracting and extending of said one extension, whereby said hook is adapted to be closed and opened upon retracting and extending of said one extension, said hook having its distal region oifset beyond one side of said casing, whereby a card receiving said hook is adapted to underlie said casing.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 623,701 Brisselet Apr. 25, 1899 1,219,873 Sapo Mar. 20, 1917 1,644,562 Browning Oct. 4, 1927 1,711,736 Lorber May 7, 1929 2,625,976 Reynolds Jan. 20, 1953 2,640,237 Vaisey June 2, 1953 

